Vauxhall Astra engine temperatures

[aburtt]

Are Vauxhall Astras (in particular a 1.4 16V LS) known for operating at high temperatures and reaching those temperatures particularly quickly.
The reason i am asking, is because I went to look at purchasing the above car, and when i took it for a test drive, it seemed to hit 80 degrees C, in a matter of minutes whilst idling, is this normal?
I questioned this with the salesman and he said that all astras are like that.
Any one have any ideas?

[edc]

5 minutes, you must be a patient one

Was it in use before you drove it?

In any case, I'd be more concerned about the actual max steady temperature.

>> Edited by edc on Monday 10th January 19:19

[wolves_wanderer]

I have a 1.6 Astra as a company car and it does indeed warm up to about 80 fairly quickly (within 5 minutes or so) In the winter it sits around 75 in normal driving, 85 if you thrash it. In the summer it's more like 85-90 all the time. Nothing to worry about

[aburtt]

Thanks for that, in your general opinion is an astra a suitable car - i.e. much maintenance? how much would you expect to pay for a 1.4 LS 16V 2000 in good nick?

[DennisTheMenace]

Check the electrics , and also look at the engine warning light , you will become great friends , had an astra , never again.

[chris_freebie]

My 2.0 DTi 16v Astra went up to 80 deg (that's about half way) and stayed there, never went above or below... that's the norm on every car I've ever driven.........

5 mins should be fine........

It's fine.. stop worrying

Mind you - don't know what the new ones are like, and got rid of the Astra 2 years ago..

>> Edited by chris_freebie on Monday 10th January 22:08

[aburtt]

Anyone else have some more input on this, would be grateful for it.

[PJLarge]

Presumably it's a new-ish Astra which will have an alloy block and head so yes, the water will come up to temp quickly. Don't forget that the oil will take longer to warm through though, so don't just use the water temp gauge as a thrashometer.

One of the main reasons modern cars are so quick to warm up is because of the emmission legislation. Emmissions are much cleaner once the engine is out of it's cold start enrichment phase.

HTH

Phil.

[wolves_wanderer]

aburtt said:

Thanks for that, in your general opinion is an astra a suitable car - i.e. much maintenance? how much would you expect to pay for a 1.4 LS 16V 2000 in good nick?

It's not a bad car, I have done 75k miles and it has had routine maintainance apart from having to replace the EGR valve (about £100), the reverse lights relay (about £15) and a headlight bulb. When new it was quite thirsty on oil but nothing out of the ordinary.

[BliarOut]

We used to run a fleet of Astra estates up and down the motorway for a few years. All went to 200K+ miles with nothing other than servicing. The seats wore out before the engines.

Never warmed up, often went 20 or 30% beyond service intervals with no ill effects. Perfect tool to use and abuse. Not necessarily nice, but a bloody good workhorse.

[wolves_wanderer]

BliarOut said:

Perfect tool to use and abuse. Not necessarily nice, but a bloody good workhorse.

Pretty much sums it up for me too